The colorful life of Donna Rae Danielson closed its earthly chapter on March 18th, 2024. A proud Wisconsinite, Donna was born in Park Falls, WI on September 12, 1937, to Gordon Dahlie and Madge (Smith) Dahlie. Donna was raised in the nearby small town of Phillips, WI where she was the eldest of four beloved siblings.

After graduating from Phillips High School, Donna attended the University of Wisconsin at Superior where she majored in music. Donna graduated in 1959 and went on to teach music education and choir in New Richmond, WI. She subsequently moved to Winnetka, IL where she was a nanny until she married Don Danielson-a classmate from college-on February 27th, 1960. Pursuing his interest in the medical field, Don enlisted in the US Army and the two of them set off to Wurzburg Germany in 1961. Their eldest daughter Kristin was born in Germany in 1962. They returned to Madison, WI in 1963 where one of Donna’s most memorable jobs was teaching music education to 82 seventh graders the last class hour of the day. The Danielsons then moved to Ann Arbor, MI so Don could pursue his MA at the University of Michigan. They welcomed their second daughter Melissa in 1966. The young family moved to Burlington, VT in 1968 where Donna was involved in many musical endeavors. She directed the choir at Trinity College, taught music and choir at Burlington High School and sang in the Vermont Choral Union. The family’s next move was to the wild west of Billings, MT in 1974. Donna soon became the Christian Education Director and choir director at the First Congregational Church. She also sang in and became the director of the Billings Symphony Chorale. After Don’s unfortunate passing in 1979, Donna married Larry Schulz in 1982 and they relocated to Alameda, CA in 1985. Straying a bit from her musical career, Donna was the Director of the Adult Literacy Program from 1987-2001. Donna helped many ESL students learn English. She also directed the choir at the First Congregational Church of Alameda, where Larry was the minister. Together Donna and Larry enjoyed attending symphony and chorale concerts, taking road trips, and cooking for their numerous friends. Donna and Larry “retired” in 2001 and moved to the Pilgrim Place community in Claremont, CA where Donna was always busy. Not quite done with her musical career, Donna directed the Pilgrim Place Chorale from 2003-2018.

Because of Donna’s easy-going, friendly nature, she made and kept many close friends. Besides music, Donna enjoyed playing bridge and anyone that knew her, knew that sports were an integral part of her life. She was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and loved watching football games on Saturdays and Sundays. She also loved watching baseball and golf, always cheering for the “good guys” to win. Donna had a serious reputation for making the best molasses cookies and also for her famous Chex Mix. She also grew beautiful roses which she freely shared with others. Donna was proud of her Norwegian heritage and was lucky to visit her relatives in Norway.

Donna is survived by her daughters Kristin (Jim Wilburn) Danielson of Glendale, AZ, Melissa Spear of Vail, CO and by her step-children Karl (Jennifer) Schulz of Portland, OR, Keith (Laura) Schulz of Rockville, MD and Karen (Ray) Thomas of Scottsdale, AZ and by her ten grandchildren, Mitchell (Erika) Wilburn, Taylor Wilburn, Riley Spear, Natalie Spear, Keenan (Lizzy) Schulz, Steffen (Lindsay) Schulz, Anya Schulz, Alex Schulz, Lisa Thomas and Patty Thomas. Donna is predeceased by her brother Paul of Wellesley, MA, her sister Sharon of La Jolla CA, her brother Jim of Jamestown, NY, and her husband Larry.

The memorial service for Donna will be held at Decker Hall on the Pilgrim Place campus in Claremont, CA on June 15th, 2024, at 3:30 pm. A reception will follow in Napier. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Doctors Without Borders and Pilgrim Place.

We will always remember the good times.

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